Bali – Institut Teknologi Bandung, represented by ITB’s Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Ir. I Gede Wenten, M.Sc., Ph.D., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing Indonesia, represented by its Managing Director, Zaid Alami. The signing took place on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, during the Bali International Airshow (BIAS) 2024, Southeast Asia’s largest aerospace exhibition, featuring over 100 companies and delegations from 35 countries.

The event was attended and witnessed by prominent figures from the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD), including FTMD Dean Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs Prof. Ir. Lavi Rizki Zuhal, Ph.D., and Head of the Undergraduate Aerospace Engineering Program, Mr. Rianto Adhy Sasongko, ST., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Through this collaboration, ITB and Boeing are committed to advancing aerospace education and fostering progress in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in Indonesia.

“Our partnership with ITB is a strategic step to strengthen the talent pipeline ready to compete in Indonesia’s aerospace industry,” said Zaid Alami. According to him, Boeing is committed to long-term support for higher education in Indonesia to address the increasingly complex challenges in this sector. With ITB’s involvement, Zaid hopes to see more innovation and highly skilled professionals who can compete on the global stage.

FTMD ITB Dean, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., emphasized that the collaboration with Boeing provides a golden opportunity for students and faculty to engage in various strategic programs. “This partnership allows students and faculty broader access to programs such as scholarships, guest lectures from industry professionals, and joint research with Boeing teams. It opens up significant opportunities for academic capacity building and research innovation in the aerospace field,” he stated.

This collaboration is part of Boeing’s long-standing involvement in supporting the aerospace industry in Indonesia. Since 1949, Boeing has been present through Garuda Indonesia, which operated Douglas DC-3 aircraft, marking the company’s early entry into Indonesia’s commercial aviation sector. Today, Boeing’s presence has expanded into the defense and commercial satellite sectors, making Indonesia a key partner in Boeing’s global portfolio.

Through this partnership with ITB, Boeing strengthens the connection between academia and industry. “This is not just a formal partnership, but a tangible step toward developing talent ready to compete in the rapidly growing aerospace sector,” added Zaid Alami in a written statement.

With this MoU, ITB and Boeing are not only collaborating to build a solid educational foundation but also driving Indonesia’s aviation industry towards a brighter future on the international stage.